Seoul: Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared for the first preliminary hearing of his criminal trial Thursday on charges of leading an insurrection, making him the nation's first sitting president to stand criminal trial. Yoon, who has also been under an impeachment trial that entered its final stage, was indicted last month on the charge of insurrection over his failed martial law bid. The charge supersedes his presidential immunity from prosecution, and if convicted, Yoon could face a life sentence or the death penalty.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told the Constitutional Court that Cabinet ministers were concerned about President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid and attempted to dissuade him before he announced it on Dec. 3. Han, who was impeached on Dec. 14 over his alleged role in Yoon's botched martial law bid, made the remarks as he attended what is likely the last hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial Thursday.
Furthermore, the geopolitical landscape witnessed a significant development as South Korea and the United States held combined air drills on Thursday, involving at least one B-1B bomber, as a demonstration against North Korean military threats. South Korean F-35A and F-15K fighter jets and U.S. F-16 fighters participated in the drills, marking the first such exercise between the allies this year.
In domestic matters, the South Korean government and rival political parties were set to engage in four-way talks Thursday to discuss a special law on semiconductors, an extra budget, and other pending issues. However, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) remain divided on several matters, including pension reform and a supplementary budget.
Despite fiscal challenges, South Korea allocated 6.5 trillion won (US$4.5 billion) for official development assistance (ODA) this year, amid rising global uncertainties, as noted by acting President Choi Sang-mok. During a government committee meeting on ODA, Choi highlighted growing global crises, such as conflicts, natural disasters, and climate change, necessitating economic support for developing nations.